Spomer
How did you get started in photography?
What camera gear do you use?
Do you still ride/race?
I started with video and wanted to try photogra-
Old Canon stuff...1d and 1ds. Used sunpak flashes
Yep, ride as often as possible. Mostly a little bike
phy. I went to a police auction and lucked out by
and Alienbees big lights.
at the skatepark and lifts in the summer time.
Fears?
getting an old Pentax Spotmatic with a bunch of
9-to-5 job.
sucked into my rear wheel on my first practice
What are your thoughts on the current state of DH mountain biking?
run, ruining the weekend. I had the camera with
I think it is in a good place. The slopestyle/fre-
Hopes?
me and played around with it. I was hooked.
eride buzz is evening out and racing seems to be
That hairy men become fashionable and again and
gaining some popularity. I love all forms of mtb
not ever having another 9-to-5 job.
lenses for $100. At a race in 2000, my derailleur
When did you decide to specialise in mountain bike photography?
competition, slopestyle, race, etc...it’s all sick. I just think that now, perspective is getting a little
Dreams?
It wasn’t really a decision, it was the only thing I
more realistic and the different formats are level-
To retire to Crescent City, California or Mountain
cared to take photos of regularly.
ing out a bit. For all I care, it can stay under-
Home, Missouri in the next 5 years (yeah, right!).
ground and not become mainstream. The trails are
Any mentors or influences?
crowded enough already.
Malcom Fearon, Paul Bliss, Mark Dawson, Victor Lucas, Damian Breach, Sven Martin.
What is the future for mountain biking?
Favourite shooting location and why?
Who knows, maybe the continued specialization of
Any World Cup race because everyone is fast and
formats, instead, they focus on one thing only.
they do their thing, while I just poach ‘em.
Hopefully slalom takes out mountaincross, though.
styles? Fewer riders dabbling in a variety of race
Clict Photo Annual SPOMER
100
Chris makes Superco Bikes. When he’s not welding impeccable frames, he’s shredding them on the pumptrack in his backyard